Though the Park Street has geared up on the eve of Easter, the collective mood here was pensive even as the civic body began to break down the top two gutted floors as part of Stephen Court’s restoration.

Middleton Street has been closed for traffic from the Park Street side and all shops, restaurants and offices on the ground floors have been shut down by a KMC directive asking everyone’s cooperation for the restoration process.

“People have hardly returned over the last two days. Only a few who are still reclaiming their belongings from the unaffected floors are seen occasionally,” says Radhasharan Sau, a paan shop owner opposite Gate 2 of Stephen’s Court.

There is a huge deployment of police at the main entrance and everyone still seems to be in the state of shock. Some police officers present at the site said since electricity maintenance work is going on, residents have still not been given permission to return.

At the famous Flurys, which has temporarily set up shop on the ground floor of The Park across the road, it seemed it is trying hard to regain its own self and the celebration mood. “We are trying hard to recreate the ambience of the old place. We are also ready to shift back to Stephen Court provided we get the permission of the municipal authorities,” said Rajiv Khanna, the manager.

“It is high time the authorities stop being callous. Luckily, the fire didn’t engulf the Flurys. They should stop all illegal constructions and inspect old buildings so that such incidents don’t reoccur. Although we are enjoying, we can’t forget those who jumped to death and were burnt in the fire,” said Abhik Chaudhury, a student who was there enjoying the latest offerings at the Flurys.